Monday, November 24, 2014

Advent 4 prayers - Dec 21

Approaching God

Welcome and announcements

Prelude
Gathering Song

Lighting of Advent candles

Herald:                 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s Kingdom; faith, hope, and love dwell in the hearts of His people.
People:                 May we rejoice in the name of Christ forever; may His love continue to bless our days.
Lighting of four candles

Herald:                 Let us sing of the Lord’s great love forever and make His faithfulness known throughout this place. Amen.

Hymn

Prayer of Adoration and Confession

Guide:                  Immortal Creator of the Universe, we come before You as servants of Your Kingdom and seekers of Your Truth. You are our Rock and refuge, our shield and salvation, as well our gracious God and loving Guide.
People:                 Heavenly Father, we have frequently wandered from Your ways and ignored Your righteousness. We have chosen to cherish our pride and greed. Forgive us for being hypocritical and hypercritical, faithless and fallen, as well as unkind and unworthy. Hear us now as we personally confess our sins.
- SILENCE -

Guide:                  Merciful Lord, we regret our past mistakes, so we look to Jesus for salvation. We turn away from our guilty sins and seek Christ to renew our lives. In His Holy words, we now pray, saying, “Our Father…THE LORD’S PRAYER” (debts/debtors).

Promise of the Gospel
Guide:                  Christ was sent by our Heavenly Father to save the world from sin. He sacrificed Himself so that we may be given the opportunity to be forgiven and restored to God’s favor and grace. Without Jesus, we have no hope of avoiding the wrath of God. With Christ, we are spiritually purified and totally pardoned. We rejoice in His power and Holy Name, both now and forever. Amen.

Gloria Patri (sung in unison) Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen.

Family Sermon (parents and all children, including Elementary school students come forward)

Encountering God

Anthem

Prayers for Health and Healing

Pastor:                 O Lord, from this sacred sanctuary, our souls yearn for Your Favor, and our hearts cry out for healing. Bless us for having set our faith in You and trusting You for strength.
People:                 Hear our prayers, Almighty Father, and listen to our pleas. Look upon us as Your people, gathered here in Your Name. Bless us with mercy and compassion; fill us with hope and help us through this day.
Pastor:                 Gracious God, grant us Your benign grace; heal our loved ones of their sickness and pain, anxiety and depression, as well as their illnesses and injuries. Hear us now as we inwardly pray.

Silent Prayers for ourselves and others. A candle is lit
Pastor:                 O Loving Lord, blessed are those who trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.
(Healing Prayer based on words & phrases from Psalm 84)

Singing of ‘Sanctuary.’

Prayer for Illumination
Reader:                 Holy Spirit, enable us to receive Christ’s teaching in our hearts and minds, through the reading and hearing of these sacred scriptures. May we experience our lives being re-born, this day and forevermore. Amen.

Scripture Readings
The Message and the Apostles’ Creed

Serving God

Offering & Offertory

Dedication (in unison – led by pastor): Lord Jesus, You are the Perfect One and our lives are transformed by Your mercy and grace. In return, we pledge to You our lives and dedicate our time, talents, and tithes to You alone. Take these gifts and bless them for Your work in the world and Your ministry among us. In Your Holy Name, we give and pray. Amen. 

Hymn

Benediction (unison):    May Christ enable us to love our neighbor each day; may the Father help us to support one another with mercy and grace; and may the Holy Spirit lead us to fulfill God’s law through being servants of His Kingdom and disciples of Christ, both now and always. Amen.


Doxology & Postlude

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